Alison May, for the CPS, said he had gone into the shop and asked for a particular tobacco wick, and as the assistant went to a cupboard for it, CCTV showed Barnett removing a jar containing six pouches of tobacco which he hid in his jacket. He paid for the wick then left. He had previous convictions.

His solicitor Deborah Von Kohler said he had attempted suicide off the 40ft high building in Truro in September and as a result could barely walk. He had broken his back in two places, shattered his ankle and damaged tendons in his hand.

She asked the judge to give him another chance, adding: “He is lucky to be alive here today.”